Courage ✔

Chapter 8

. . .

He looked right into her eyes. In relief, Alyssae wanted to smile, until he raised his sword. Would he knock her down? In fear, she let go of his leg.

"Don't!" she screamed.

"Was that Alyssae?" Kíli looked around.

She remembered the ring and pulled it off her finger, so she would become visible again. The brothers stepped away from her and stared at her in disbelief.

"How did you do that?"

Alyssae didn't know if she could trust them. She really wanted to, but Thorin was their uncle. She would feel guilty when she asked them to keep a secret from him. Fíli helped her on her feet, hugging her. "I don"t know how I did it," she lied. "It's a gift, some means of defense."

As inconspicuous as she could, she shoved the ring in her pocket. The dwarf stared her in the eye, then he let go of her and turned to the orcs.

"Your sword is in the hall."

Alyssae nodded and slipped through the door. Kíli clearly didn't trust her abilities, for he stepped after her and nodded at her when she found her weapon. She felt a bit brighter than the moment the orcs invaded, but still, the world spun around her. "Where are the others?"

"They are waiting for us outside, except for Thorin. He went that way to search for you." Kíli pointed to the side and Alyssae hastened that way. The two dwarves followed her immediately, once in a while turning around to shoot or beat down an orc.

Alyssae didn't know what to think of the fact that Thorin went looking for her. Why would he risk his life for her? She understood why his nephews would do so since they were close. But Thorin? It was a strange idea, causing an unfamiliar tingling inside her stomach.

"Thorin!" she yelled as soon as she had entered the room. "I'm here!"

The chamber was dark and it took some time before she heard footsteps. A glimmer of moonlight shone upon him and she noticed his arms and sword were soaked in red. The look in his eyes was bewildered as if he had changed into an animal.

Alyssae didn't know what to say or do, but she flinched when he shoved her away violently.

"You never should have drunk so much!" he snarled. "Retarded elves!"

Alyssae leaned against the wall. She was short of breath and felt sick. How would he react when she puked over him? She grinned as she imagined how angry his face must be, but her grin only made him more furious and suddenly her cheek was burning.

"Did you slap me?" Slowly, she moved her fingers to her cheek.

"I hoped it would bring you back to normal," he growled and he looked at Kíli and Fíli. "Take her with you and be sure you don't lose her again."

Fíli bowed his head and wrapped his arm around her. Alyssae held her sword as she was dragged along, glad it were dwarves who accompanied her instead of orcs.

"I'm okay," she said to Fíli. "I know what I'm doing."

"He just wants to hold you," Kíli grinned, but his brother didn't seem to be in the mood for jokes and glanced angrily aside.

Alyssae looked at Thorin, who walked ahead of them. He walked with straight shoulders and his head up and the way he moved did something to her. He strode like a king. She tried to remember if her father also walked that way, but it was hard to make a comparison between a surly dwarf and a majestic elf. The only similarity she could think of, was their gender.